Agreed. Somewhat disgusting to see wild animals trained to do something like that for our entertainment.

im not what you call a "hippie" or "activist" in any way but I was appaled when I saw that video the first time and I am getting even more angry now that someone thought to post this again this aint right.

I'm absolutely disgusted by this post.
And what's even worst is that the moderators are encouraging people with their own jokes.

What are we going to see next on hf, 5 year old kids in hokey fights?

I'm curious to hear why you would find this to be so disgusting? Is it because you feel these animals are being mistreated?

I don't see anything wrong with this video. In fact I actually thought it was entertaining.

As for my joke, that's all it was....a joke. Chara is a big man, who probably couldn't walk into an average store and buy skates. He has to get them custom made. If you were offended by my joke, I apologize.

im not what you call a "hippie" or "activist" in any way but I was appaled when I saw that video the first time and I am getting even more angry now that someone thought to post this again this aint right.

yeah but now that we have it, let's watch it over and over. or maybe we shouldn't because of course every view the video gets is still hurting these bears, 20 years later.

anyway, h10h (new flu?) people assume these specific bears were mistreated because this video was probably filmed in the end of the soviet era. and lord knows those russians weren't particularly humane towards human hockeyers. the long standing tradition of russian skating bears always implies a certain amount of mistreatment.

but hey, let's continue to laugh at BGL for being vegan and an animal activist while we cry rivers for these bears. amirite?

Fair enough, I just hope everyone that finds this video disgusting also finds animals used in the following way disgusting as well.

Zoos
Circuses
Horse/Dog racing
Dog/Horse shows
Animals used in Movies/Television
Petting zoos
Horse/Pony rides
Dressing your pet in a Leaf/Bruins jersey (Sorry I had to lighten this up a little bit)

My point is yes some animals are mistreated, a certain incident involving a football player comes to mind as I type this. That doesn't mean all animals used for our entertainment are mistreated.

Unless you are able to witness it first hand, can you really pass judgment on whether a certain animal is being mistreated?

The bear is a noble, majestic animal; in its natural habitat, it should awe and inspire us. Instead, it is presented here as some kind of vaudeville act. The fact that people derive pleasure from seeing it "skating", as some kind of sub-human joke, is sad indeed.

The fact you see no difference between a zoo or a petting zoo, which at least can serve some educational purpose, and this "skating" performance, or between domestic and wild animals for that matter, is sadder still.

The bear is a noble, majestic animal; in its natural habitat, it should awe and inspire us. Instead, it is presented here as some kind of vaudeville act. The fact that people derive pleasure from seeing it "skating", as some kind of sub-human joke, is sad indeed.

The fact you see no difference between a zoo or a petting zoo, which at least can serve some educational purpose, and this "skating" performance, or between domestic and wild animals for that matter, is sadder still.

Small things amuse small minds, I guess.

What does that have to do with it? A lion is considered to be a majestic animal as well. Yet in a zoo, he is treated like a prisoner. Not being allowed to roam free. Instead he spends his whole day confined to a small space. I don't see how that can be any less degrading. Same can be said of the animals in a petting zoo.

Let me get this straight. Since it's educational, it makes it alright to take an animal out of his natural habitat? Put them in situations that are out of the norm for them?

I think you should take a close look in the mirror before you start making "small minded" comments.

The bear is a noble, majestic animal; in its natural habitat, it should awe and inspire us. Instead, it is presented here as some kind of vaudeville act. The fact that people derive pleasure from seeing it "skating", as some kind of sub-human joke, is sad indeed.

The fact you see no difference between a zoo or a petting zoo, which at least can serve some educational purpose, and this "skating" performance, or between domestic and wild animals for that matter, is sadder still.

Small things amuse small minds, I guess.

I think if you were an animal you'd take the circus over the slaughter house.

Some food for thought the next time you bite into your burger.

ps: the cow is also considered noble and majestic to many ppl in this world.

What does that have to do with it? A lion is considered to be a majestic animal as well. Yet in a zoo, he is treated like a prisoner. Not being allowed to roam free. Instead he spends his whole day confined to a small space. I don't see how that can be any less degrading. Same can be said of the animals in a petting zoo.

Let me get this straight. Since it's educational, it makes it alright to take an animal out of his natural habitat? Put them in situations that are out of the norm for them?

I think you should take a close look in the mirror before you start making "small minded" comments.

Sorry, my comment was a bit harsh. I just find it a bit (a lot) sad that people are still amused by a form of entertainment which is medieval at best, cruel and inhumane at worst. But if it amuses you, so be it.

Sorry, my comment was a bit harsh. I just find it a bit (a lot) sad that people are still amused by a form of entertainment which is medieval at best, cruel and inhumane at worst. But if it amuses you, so be it.

No worries GB, I probably would have reacted the same way. I will admit that when I first saw the video, I didn't take into consideration the treatment of the bears.

My first thought was amazement that an animal(s) could be able to perform such a feat. Upon further reflection, I can definitely see why you and some others could find this a disgusting form of entertainment.

Personally I don't dig that deep when reading/seeing things on the internet. Now if I were to see this happen in real life, maybe my reaction would be different.